Articles tagged with Ban
New Bill Bans Surcharges on Foreign and Commercial Cards for Easier Payments: Impact on Businesses and Consumers
34 min ago | 33 viewsThe Government, led by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson, is expanding the surcharge ban to include foreign-issued cards and commercial cards, aiming to simplify transactions for businesses and consumers. The Retail Payment System (Ban on Merchant Surcharges) Amendment Bill has passed its first reading, prohibiting surcharges on in-store EFTPOS, Visa, and Mastercard payments. The ban, set to be implemented within a month of passing the Bill, aims to save businesses up to $90 million annually and prevent surprise costs for Kiwi shoppers at payment terminals.
Tags: Government payment pain point surcharge ban foreign cards Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson Retail Payment System Amendment Bill Commerce Commission banking fees merchant service fees interchange feesProtecting Hoiho Population: NZ Implements Emergency Fishery Closure
2 days ago | 71 viewsThe Government is implementing a temporary emergency fishery closure around the Otago Peninsula to protect the hoiho population in mainland New Zealand. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones will conduct public consultation on permanent measures to address hoiho bycatch in the area. The consultation will include proposals such as extending the set net ban and implementing an escalating response framework to reduce hoiho bycatch towards zero.
Tags: Shane Jones Hoiho Fisheries New Zealand Oceans Closure Bycatch Set net ban Public consultation Emergency fishery closureGovernment-Funded Social Home Deliveries by Community Housing Providers: Progress Update and Future Plans
5 days ago | 69 viewsCommunity Housing Providers (CHPs) are actively delivering over 2,000 social homes funded by the Coalition Government, with a focus on allocating 1,500 social houses from Budget 2024 and 550 social homes for Auckland from Budget 2025. The government is committed to building the right homes in the right places for those in need, with a new housing investment system centered on strategic partnerships with CHPs and a Flexible Fund established in Budget 2025 to drive further change in social housing. Progress is being made in improving housing for Kiwis, including reducing the social housing register, moving families out of motels into social housing, and partnering with Māori housing providers to deliver affordable rental homes across the country.
Tags: Community Housing Providers CHPs Coalition Government Housing Minister Chris Bishop Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka Kāinga Ora Ministry of Housing and Urban Development HUD Budget 2024 Budget 2025Revitalizing the Property Sector: Updates on Market Cycles, Innovative Ideas, and Growth Opportunities in Queenstown
1 week ago | 121 viewsThe speaker expresses gratitude for being at an event in Queenstown hosted by the Property Council, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders in the property industry. They acknowledge the challenges faced by the construction and property sectors due to inflation and economic cycles but highlight government initiatives to support recovery, including reforms to streamline building processes. The speaker outlines key pillars of the Going for Housing Growth program and upcoming Resource Management Act reforms aimed at facilitating development and addressing infrastructure needs, concluding with a mention of City and Regional Deals as strategic partnerships to drive economic growth and housing development.
Tags: Leonie Freemen Minister Penk Shamubeel Eaqub Simplicity Reserve Bank Property Council Resource Management Act Going for Housing Growth Development Levies Infrastructure Funding and Financing ActNew Zealand Opens Doors to Overseas Investors for Home Ownership under Active Investor Plus Visa
2 weeks ago | 225 viewsOverseas-based investors with a New Zealand investor residence visa can now buy a house in New Zealand to stimulate economic growth, despite the ban on foreigners purchasing residential housing. The Active Investor Plus residency visa, requiring a minimum investment of $5 million, aims to attract high net worth individuals to deepen their connection to New Zealand and contribute to the economy by allowing them to own a home. This policy change balances the desire to limit foreign ownership while attracting significant investors to invest in the country, potentially bringing in a total minimum investment of $1.8 billion.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Prime Minister New Zealand Investor residence visa Active Investor Plus Foreign buyer ban Overseas Investment Act New Zealand economy High net worth investorsFinance Minister Thanks Departing Reserve Bank Chair for Service
2 weeks ago | 136 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis thanked departing Reserve Bank Chair Neil Quigley for his long service, acknowledging his contributions over 15 years as a board member and nine as Chair. Quigley resigned immediately, citing the completion of key tasks and the timing being right for a transition to a new Chair. Deputy Chair Rodger Finlay will temporarily assume the Chair's duties until a permanent appointment is made, and the vacancy on the board left by Quigley will be filled in the future.
Tags: Finance Minister Nicola Willis Reserve Bank Chair Neil Quigley board member Chair resignation funding agreement capital settings new GovernorNew Capital Settings Proposals Aim to Boost Competition in New Zealand Banking Sector
3 weeks ago | 309 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis supports the Reserve Bank's consultation on reviewing capital settings for banks and deposit takers to address concerns about impacts on competition, lending costs, and economic growth. The Minister's Financial Policy Remit emphasized the need to balance financial stability with competition, prompting the Bank to consider changes like aligning capital requirements with risk and adjusting overall capital ratio requirements to lower lending rates. The proposed changes aim to benefit smaller players in the market, reduce barriers for new entrants, and create a more competitive environment in the New Zealand banking sector.
Tags: Finance Minister Nicola Willis consultation Reserve Bank capital settings banking industry lending New Zealanders competition efficiencyGovernment Initiatives to Boost Banking Competition Unveiled by Finance Minister Nicola Willis
3 weeks ago | 188 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis has welcomed the release of the Finance and Expenditure Committee (FEC) Inquiry into banking competition, focusing on business, rural banking, and lending to Māori entities. The inquiry supports the Government's efforts to enhance competition in the banking sector for better services for Kiwis. The report, based on submissions from 148 stakeholders and public hearings, will be reviewed by the Government for proposed action items by November 2025.
Tags: Finance Minister Nicola Willis FEC Inquiry banking competition Government Commerce Commission Kiwis Kiwibank Reserve Bank financial stabilityHow Falling Interest Rates Benefit Growth, Businesses, Jobs, and Kiwis: Finance Minister's Insights
3 weeks ago | 154 viewsFinance Minister Nicola Willis highlights the benefits of falling interest rates, including support for growth, businesses, job creation, and mortgage holders. The Reserve Bank has reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 3.25 to 3 percent, with further decreases expected. Lower interest rates stimulate economic activity, reduce mortgage repayments, and are seen as a positive response to economic challenges, signaling improving conditions and effective economic management by the government.
Tags: interest rates growth businesses jobs Kiwis mortgages Finance Minister Nicola Willis Reserve Bank Official Cash RateChris Seed Named New Zealand Ambassador to the United States, Succeeding Rosemary Banks
1 month ago | 346 viewsChris Seed has been appointed as New Zealand's next Ambassador to the United States, with Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasizing the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Seed, a highly experienced diplomat who previously served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is seen as well-suited for the role. He will succeed Rosemary Banks, who is completing her second term and is praised for her distinguished diplomatic career and contributions to the critical bilateral relationship with the US.
Tags: Winston Peters Chris Seed New Zealand United States Washington DC Rosemary Banks Ambassador Foreign Minister Diplomat Strategic PartnershipLuxon and Albanese Forge Strong Trans-Tasman Partnership in Queenstown
1 month ago | 220 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met in Queenstown to discuss shared challenges and opportunities between New Zealand and Australia. They focused on economic cooperation, particularly aligning New Zealand's Going for Growth agenda with Australia's productivity agenda. The leaders announced a new partnership to harmonize national standards, aiming to facilitate trade, reduce costs, and support economic growth across both countries.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Anthony Albanese Queenstown New Zealand Australia economic plans partnership trade cooperation opportunitiesAustralian PM Albanese to Meet with NZ PM Luxon for Annual Leaders’ Meeting in Queenstown
1 month ago | 389 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to host Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the annual Australia New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting in Queenstown. Luxon looks forward to discussing the strong Australia-New Zealand relationship, highlighting their economic partnership with $32 billion in two-way trade. Albanese will be welcomed by Ngāi Tahu in Queenstown for bilateral talks, a business roundtable, and to enjoy the beauty of Central Otago during his visit from Saturday to Sunday.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Anthony Albanese Australia New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting Queenstown Jodie Haydon Ngāi Tahu economic partner bilateral talksKiwibank Empowered to Challenge Big Four Aussie Banks with $500M Capital Boost
1 month ago | 432 viewsKiwibank has been authorized to enhance its competition with the dominant Australian-owned banks in New Zealand's banking sector by raising up to $500 million in capital for growth. This move is aimed at enabling Kiwibank to better compete with the big four Australian banks while preserving its New Zealand identity. The government has approved measures to ensure Kiwibank's New Zealand identity, including maintaining majority government ownership and requiring key operational aspects to remain in New Zealand.
Tags: Kiwibank Nicola Willis Finance Minister Commerce Commission New Zealand Kiwi Group Capital Māori institutions New Zealand KiwiSaver funds stock marketNew Zealand Bans Surcharges to Save Millions: Commerce Minister's Decision
1 month ago | 1105 viewsCommerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announced the axing of surcharges to benefit New Zealanders financially. The move aims to eliminate the hassle and unexpected costs shoppers face at the checkout. By banning surcharges for in-store payments by May 2026, consumers can shop confidently without being penalized for their payment method choice.
Tags: surcharges money Kiwis Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson New Zealanders ban payments fees Commerce CommissionGovernment Unveils Plan to Combat Rising Homelessness Crisis in New Zealand
1 month ago | 541 viewsThe Government released the latest Homelessness Insights Report, addressing the issue of homelessness in New Zealand and the increasing numbers of people without shelter. Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka emphasized the need for targeted interventions and support services to combat homelessness, highlighting the complexity of the issue and the importance of engaging with frontline organizations. The Government is committed to long-term solutions, including reforms in the housing market, infrastructure funding, and social housing systems to address the root causes of homelessness and provide stable housing for all New Zealanders.
Tags: Government Homelessness Insights Report New Zealand Housing Minister Chris Bishop Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Auckland City Mission Salvation Army Emergency Housing Transitional Housing